Paraffin cleaner for oil wells



Sept. .23,l 1958 A. c.s1lL| Erm. 2,853,138

PARAFF IN CLEANER FOR OIL WELLS Filed Jan. 4, 1957 und,

INVENTOR ALDizncH C. STHJ.

LENA L. sfu.;

ATTDRNEYS United States Patent O PARAFFIN CLEANER FOR OIL WELLS Aldrich C. Still and Lena L. Still, Alta Loma, Tex. Application January 4, 1957, Serial No. 632,608 3 Claims. (Cl. 166-174) This invention relates to an improved paraffin cleaner for oil wells, constituting an improvement over Patent 2,298,985, issued October 13, 1942.

The primary object of the present invention in conformance with that is to provide an improved paraliin cleaner for oil wells, which functions in a manner similar to that of Patent 2,298,985, but which has Scrapers which are formed so as to eliminate damage to plastic linings of pipe on which the cleaner is operated, and which has means deterring rotation of the cleaner in a pipe being cleaned.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved Scrapers for use in cleaners of the type referred to hereinabove which scrape wider paths without injury to pipe or plastic linings therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide Scrapers of the character indicated which can be made in rugged and serviceable forms at relatively low cost, are easily used and maintained, and are highly satisfactory, eli'icient and practical for the purpose intended.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of parain cleaner of the present invention, the paratiin scrapers being removed;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation, showing the paraffin cleaner `in operating position in a well pipe, shown in section, portions of the cleaner being broken away and in section, and showing in full and in phantom lines different positions of Scrapers;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the plane of line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of scraper; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view -of a modified form of scraper.

Referring to the drawings in detail, indicated generally at 9 is a paratiin cleaner comprising an elongated body 10 of cylindrical form, having an upper threaded end 12 and a lower conical end 14. The body 10 has opening through its outer surface longitudinally elongated arcuate recesses 16, which are disposed in vertically spaced and circumferentially staggered relationship in a spiral pattern around the body 10. Each of the recesses 16 has extending centrally and transversely thereacross a pin 18 whose ends are engaged in -bores 17 in the body 10.

-In Figure 4 is shown a form of scraper, generally designated 20, which is formed of a single length of resilient rod, and comprises a helix 22 terminating at its opposite ends in diverging straight upper and lower fingers 24 and 26. The lingers 24 and 26 terminate in rounded ends constituted by reverse bent portions 28 and 30, respectively, which are on the facing laterally inward sides 31 of the ngers 24 and 26. The helices 22 are jonrnaled on the pins 18 in the recesses 16.

Considering Figure 2, a pipe, defining a well bore, is indicated at 32 and has -a conventional plastic lining 34. A sinker bar 36 has a downwardly opening threaded socket 38 threaded on the threaded upper end 12 of the cleaner body 10, and is lockingly retained thereon by means of a lock nut 40. As shown at the left hand side of Figure 2, movement of the body 10 in a downward direction within the pipe 32 results in the Scrapers 20 being disposed in the elevated phantom line position, wherein the lower fingers 26 are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body 10 and are in contact with the side wall of the pipe 32. Upward movement of the cleaner produces depression `of the scraper 20 to the full line positions shown, with the upper arms 24 in contact with the pipe side wall and wherein the upper lingers are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cleaner body 10. The scraper lingers not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cleaner body 10 engage related ends of the recess 16 in the body 10.

The modified form of scraper shown in Figure 5, and indicated generally at 20', is generally similar to that shown in Figure 4 and comprises a helix 22 terminating at opposite ends in diverging scraper lingers 24 and 26. The outer ends of the lingers 24 and 26 incorporate reverse bent portions 28' and 30', respectively, which, instead of being located at the laterally inward sides of the lingers, are on the longitudinally inward sides 31 of the ngers, relative to the helix 22. Because of the transverse or horizontal arrangement of the portions 28' and 30 and the resultant greater horizontal width thereof, the portions 28 and 30 scrape wider paths than the portions 28 and 30 of the scraper 20.

If desired, both forms of sera-pers 20 and 20 can be utilized on the cleaner body 1l).

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modilications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and `operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

l. A paraflin cleaner comprising an elongated cylindrical body having longitudinally elongated arcuate recesses opening through its outer surface, horizontal pins secured to the body and extending centrally across said recesses, and Scrapers each consisting of a rod having a helical intermediate portion journaled on a pin in a recess and terminating at its opposite ends in diverging upper and lower lingers, extending beyond the outer surface of said body vfor alternate engagement with the inner surface of a pipe in which the cleaner is vertically reciprocated said lingers having outer ends terminating in reverse bends having portions extending inwardly from said outer ends in contact with sides of said lingers.

2. A paraliin cleaner according to claim l, wherein said lingers have facing laterally inward sides at which said portions are located.

3. A paraffin cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said fingers have longitudinally inward `sides at which said portions yare located.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,224,412 Smith Dec. 10, 1940 2,298,985 Still et al. Oct. 13, 1942 2,315,069 McKean et al Mar. 30, 1943 2,433,955 Meynig Jan. 6, 1948 

